Daily Readings - Tue Jun 02 2020
2 Peter
12waiting for, and hurrying toward, the advent of the day of the Lord, by which the burning heavens shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt from the heat of the fire13Yet truly, in accord with his promises, we are looking forward to the new heavens and the new earth, in which justice lives14Therefore, most beloved, while awaiting these things, be diligent, so that you may be found to be immaculate and unassailable before him, in peace15And let the longsuffering of our Lord be considered salvation, as also our most beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you17But since you, brothers, know these things beforehand, be cautious, lest by being drawn into the error of the foolish, you may fall away from your own steadfastness18Yet truly, increase in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory, both now and in the day of eternity. Amen
Mark
13And they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to him, so that they might trap him with words14And these, arriving, said to him: "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you do not favor anyone; for you do not consider the appearance of men, but you teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give the tribute to Caesar, or should we not give it?15And knowing their skill in deception, he said to them: "Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, so that I may see it.16And they brought it to him. And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar’s.17So in response, Jesus said to them, "Then render to Caesar, the things that are of Caesar; and to God, the things that are of God." And they wondered over him
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the delicate balance between our earthly responsibilities and our heavenly aspirations. The second reading from 2 Peter encourages us to live with hope and diligence, awaiting the promise of a new heavens and a new earth. It reminds us that while we journey through this life, we must grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus being tested with a question about taxes, to which He responds by distinguishing between what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God. His answer underscores the importance of fulfilling our earthly duties while remaining steadfast in our devotion to God.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian experience. Peter’s letter addresses a community awaiting the Lord’s return, urging them to live virtuously and remain faithful despite the challenges of the present age. Mark’s Gospel, on the other hand, captures a moment where Jesus is confronted by those seeking to trap Him with a politically charged question. His response not only defuses the tension but also provides a timeless principle for living as disciples in a world that often demands our allegiance.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we navigate the dual realities of our lives. We are called to be responsible citizens in the world, fulfilling our obligations and contributing to the common good. At the same time, we are called to be faithful followers of Christ, prioritizing His will and living in a way that reflects His love and justice. The moral lesson here is clear: our ultimate allegiance is to God, but this does not excuse us from engaging with the world around us. Rather, it should inspire us to live with integrity, rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.
As we apply this to our daily lives, let us strive to live in such a way that our faith informs every aspect of our existence. May we be diligent in growing closer to Christ, even as we fulfill our duties in the world. May we remember that our true citizenship is in heaven, and may we live in a way that reflects the hope and joy of that eternal promise.